Dolphins

2013 NFL mock draft: Dolphins could get Ryan Tannehill some help

A stud wideout could make life easier for Ryan Tannehill in his second year on the job.

By Craig Powers@TheCraigPowers Mar 6, 2013, 3:18pm EST

The Miami Dolphins got a breakthrough year from wide receiver Brian Hartline in 2013, but they'll need more than that to ensure second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill continues to develop. Some mock draft experts believe the Dolphins will use the 12th-overall pick to grab a young wide receiver to pair with Hartline, who is expected to re-sign with the team.

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SB Nation's Matthew Fairburn believes the Dolphins will grab DeAndre Hopkins out of Clemson. Hopkins was highly productive in his junior season, grabbing 82 passes for 1,405 yards and 18 touchdowns. He has great hands and elusiveness, making him the type of wideout that could make Tannehill's job much easier. Fairburn believes him to be the best receiver available:

Ryan Tannehill put together an impressive rookie season down in Miami. In order to continue his development, the Dolphins' brass needs to surround him with talented playmakers. Right now, Clemson's DeAndre Hopkins grades out as the top wide receiver on our board. He's a mature route runner who gets separation with ease and displays a nice catch radius. Hopkins doesn't have the size and speed combination of some of the other wide receivers in this class, but he makes up for it with his body control and sure hands.

Fairburn isn't alone in thinking Miami goes with a wide receiver, but Keenan Allen is the choice for others. ESPN's Todd McShay believes the Dolphins will nab the former Cal receiver, along with NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah. Charles Davis also is thinking wideout for Miami, but he thinks the pick will be Cordarrelle Patterson out of Tennessee.

Bucky Brooks breaks the trend by predicting the Dolphins will pick Florida State cornerback Xavier Rhodes.